LINK TO FOOD FOR THOUGHT HOME PAGE
TORONTO, March 29 – For nearly three weeks, from March 8, 2010 to March 26, 2010, students at four Ontario universities undertook an experiment to eat a healthy, balanced diet while spending only $7.50 a day on food – the same amount allocated for food by the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP).
The “Food For Thought” campaign, organized by the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA) ended its 19-day experiment over the weekend, with its participants relieved that the experiment was over. “Students living on a $7.50/day budget that is allocated by OSAP cannot afford to eat healthy…that is simply the bottom line,” said Nick Gibson of Wilfrid Laurier University. Sarah Baker of Queen’s University said “ I tried my best but unfortunately there was not a single day where I both stayed on budget and got all my servings in.”
The campaign was aimed at drawing attention to the fact that the OSAP need assessment uses a standard living allowance for every student adding up to $12,540 a year, which is about $3,000 less than the poverty line, effectively institutionalizing student poverty. “OSAP actually claws back the money you make while you’re in school,” said Rachel Crane, Brock University student, making it even more difficult for students to come up with the money to make ends meet. Crane added, “students do an excellent job on budgeting their finances, and have began to take out loans and use credit cards to make up for OSAP’s shortcomings.”
During an appearance on Canada AM, University of Western Ontario student Andrew Beach said, “we’re trying to get the government to give just a little bit more money, so that students get the opportunity to eat healthy.” Many students with dietary restrictions, medical conditions, varsity athletes, or who live on campus have much more difficult circumstances to get affordable and nutritious foods for themselves.
“I’m still standing after 19 days of really, really watching what I spent and what I ate, and I felt really stressed out at times,” said Rachel Crane.
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For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact: Alvin Tedjo, OUSA Director of Communications & Public Relations, work: (416) 341-9948, cell: (647) 669-6885
